A view from the clubhouse to Cypress Point Golf Club's famous 16th hole.
Q: We are two Aussie golfers traveling to the Monterey Peninsula for a few days. Do you have any thoughts on how we can play Cypress Point Golf Club? Daryl B., Australia
A: We know a lot of the secrets to getting on some of the best private golf courses in the world, but playing Cypress Point Golf Club is an extremely tough nut to crack. The club has a small membership (200-250) and even if you know a member, there is a relatively little amount of unaccompanied guest play allowed.
As we’ve written before: “Unless you know a member who is willing to take you out or write a letter on your behalf, any effort to get on this Alister MacKenzie-designed shrine is often a complete waste of time, something to be avoided on a precious Pebble Beach golf vacation.”
We did call the Cypress Point Golf Club pro shop to see if there is any wiggle room, but we were told, “There are no variations to the policy.” Sorry. [Editor's Note: Like us, reader Steven P. has heard the rumor that writing a heartfelt letter to the head professional (Casey Reamer) describing your once-in-a-lifetime trip can sometimes be your key to play Cypress Point. We can't confirm this, but it'll only cost you a stamp to find out.]
However, even if you can’t find a way to play Cypress Point, here are couple consolation prizes worth considering. First, we’d highly recommend adding Pasatiempo Golf Course (located between Pebble Beach and San Francisco) to your Pebble Beach golf vacation lineup. Like Cypress Point, this is an Alister MacKenzie classic, and it was recently restored to its original glory.
Second, given that you are from Australia, you might want to make your way to New Zealand and play the Cape Kidnappers golf course. While the similarities are relatively few between it and the Cypress Point golf course, both sit high above the Pacific Ocean and you can’t help but notice the striking similarity between the 16th tee box at Cypress Point and the 16th tee box at Cape Kidnappers, both of which are perched above the crashing waves.
Interestingly, just as (1921 Women’s Amateur champion) Marion Hollins had a big influence on Alister MacKenzie’s design at Cypress Point (and Pasatiempo), Josie Robertson had her hand in Tom Doak’s design at Cape Kidnappers. More importantly, given that Josie and her husband, Julian (who own Cape Kidnappers), are members at Cypress Point Golf Club, it’s not unreasonable to assume that the design of the Cypress Point golf course had at least some influence on the design of Cape Kidnappers.
You can learn more about both of these Cypress Point alternatives by taking a free trial to our flagship publication, Golf Odyssey. In addition to the current issue, you’ll get instant access to our entire, online archive, where you’ll find our unbiased reviews of Pasatiempo, Cape Kidnappers, the Pebble Beach golf courses, and thousands of other courses and resorts worldwide that we’ve reviewed. As always, there is no risk or obligation to subscribe.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
They should try Ft. Ord’s Bayonet Course.
To my Aussie Friends: I was very lucky to have played Cypress Point GC last September. What a golfing expierence, by far the best golf venue on the planet. The weather was 85 degrees, no fog, and no wind! The ocean holes #15, and #16 were awsome!! I was lucky to par both holes. Even though I have some some connections to the golf business, I was not able to get on except that my niece was dating the head equiptment person for Cypress Point. He was able to get me and my best friend on the course. We went out by ourselves and had a great time. The cost was $100 each! (Worth every penny!) The cost did not cover the golf, just payment to our caddie who was great as well. After our round, we even got employee discounts on all of their golf items. This was a golfing experience that I will never forget! Like I said through my golf connections, I have had the privlege of playing some of the other private courses around the Monterey area like Quail Lodge, Monterey Peninsula C.C., Pasadera GC, and Tehama GC.
My three sons and i recently played pebble beach…..the course, the weather and the first class treatment by the staff was awesome……priceless and the golf experience of a lifetime…staying at the Inn at Spanish Bay(required) was ok but not worth $700 a night per room……..Spanish Bay was good but Pasatimpo and Harding Park are much “better bangs for your buck” dennis zukiwsky and sons red deer alberta
Amen on Pasatiempo Golf Course. We played it several years ago and it was our favorite course, and we played Pebble Beach on that trip. Be prepared to use every club in your bag. Can’t wait to come back and see what has changed with the renovations.
Almost a year ago my wife and I played Pebble and Spy both were great even in late December (the 28th). Our caddie at Pebble, who used to caddy at Cypress said that he had just played Cypress with 3 people from Australia; however, they had gone out on Christmas morning at 9 am and couldn’t play but 8 or 9 holes away from the clubhouse. He seemed to know the schedule and that the course was closed on Christmas.
The Monterey Peninsula offers the most spectacular golfing I have ever experienced. There are a few other courses you could play. I was pinching myself the whole time I was there just to make sure I was not dreaming. The Monterey region offers the best golf courses in the world! I just got back from the golf wonderland and must say this was the best golf vacation i have ever had!
If Cypress Point really knew their head pro, they would be appalled. He’s a great actor.
Clarification, please.
I’ve had the distinct privilege to play Cypress Point once. It was set up through a friend who had a friend/business associate who was a member. We were scheduled to be at Pebble Beach from Sunday-Wednesday but because unaccompanied play on Cypress was restricted to before 8:00am on Thursday only, we added four additional nights to our stay. My flight from the East Coast was delayed/cancelled/rebooked from San Jose to Oakland. I ended up getting into the hotel room at 3:30am. We teed off shortly after 7:00am as a twosome with one caddie. We experienced all four seasons but by 11:00am we had finished the round and were shopping in the small but well-stocked pro shop. We probably overpaid our caddie ($100 each). So, I flew from East Coast to West Coast, got 3 hours of sleep, spent an additional $2500 (meals, hotel, rental car, additional greens fees on subsequent days) or so for extending the trip and spent ~$500 in the pro shop all for 3 hours on the golf course. I shot 78, bogeyed 15, parred 16 (Driver to 30 ft in sideways blowing rain), amazed by #17’s beauty (never read anything about it) and let down by #18’s anticlimactic finish. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat and my wife would support my extravagance.
Beautiful, Michael. Your story reminds me of that saying: When you’re on your deathbed, you don’t regret the things you’ve done, you regret the things you didn’t do. Kudos for scratching this one off your list.
I am playing cypress point tomorrow.
Congrats! Let us know how it goes.